November 11, 2017 – Sexual Violence, Gun Violence

Segments

Another mass shooting grabbed headlines this past week. It happened in a small church in a small town in Texas, and cut short 26 lives that included several small children. This tragedy briefly overtook the seemingly endless series of revelations in the media about sexual harassment and abuse by powerful men. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s radio show and podcast, we’ll explore a crucial common thread between mass shootings and sexual abuse.

Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Lewis, Senior Minister at Middle Collegiate Church in New York City and host of Just Faith, will join host Rev. Welton Gaddy to discuss a recent piece she co-authored for the Huffington Post, “We Need To Talk: The Link Between Sexual Violence And Gun Violence.” The article, which draws chilling connections between sexual abuse and mass shootings, was published just days before the Texas shooting, which fits the pattern described by Rev. Lewis and her co-authors Rabbi Sharon Brous and Valarie Kaur.

Sally Quinn is many things: author of numerous books, founder of the Washington Post‘s On Faith section, a Washington, DC society figure and chronicler of the devastating health tragedy that befell her late husband, beloved former Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee. She’s out with a new book, and it’s particularly good. She’ll join Welton to discuss Finding Magic: A Spiritual Memoir, which plumbs the depths of experiences that connect various religious traditions, magic and hope.

We’ll also discuss what Tuesday’s election results tell us about where our nation is heading. Rabbi Jack Moline, president of Interfaith Alliance, will join Welton to discuss the seeming triumph of civility over hateful rhetoric and the resilience of the democratic process in the face of widespread cynicism. They’ll also discuss the many historic firsts, include the first out transgender state representative who won her seat by defeating a ruthlessly anti-LGBT opponent.

And we’ll get a Word from Welton on the hope last Tuesday’s election gives those of us desperate to see civility return to our public rhetoric – and our electoral democracy.